Max Scherzer’s historic strikeout adds another chapter to legendary career

It has been a trying season for Max Scherzer. The 42-year-old right-hander has struggled through one of the worst season's of his career. He's dealt with a ton of injuries and inconsistencies all season, but through the first five innings against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night (Aug. 8) Scherzer looked like his old self.

He had allowed just three hits, kept the Phillies off the board and had three strikeouts, putting himself at 3,515 for his career. That tied him with the legendary Walter Johnson for 10th all-time. Then with Kyle Schwarber leading off the bottom of the sixth, Scherzer made history.

On a 3-2 pitch, Scherzer threw a 94.3 mph four-seam fastball that Schwarber swung right through to cement the milestone moment. It adds another check mark on to his already extensive Hall of Fame resume.

He is a two time World Series champion, capturing rings with the 2019 Washington Nationals and the 2023 Texas Rangers. He struck out 300 batters in a single season in 2018, and has eight other season's with at least 200 punch outs. Scherzer also won three Cy Young awards, and has been named to eight All-Star teams. Over his 19-year career, Mad Max has thrown two no-hitters and recorded a 20-strikeout, nine inning game.

Max Scherzer didn't get a long time to relish in his moment

Unfortunately for Scherzer, immediately after notching the strikeout, he allowed back-to-back home runs to Trea Turner and Bryce Harper, allowing the Phillies to tie the game 2-2. It adds to what has already been a frustrating season for the veteran who has pitched to a 7.92 ERA in just 30.2 innings this year.

He's posted a career worst 1.63 WHIP and his 4.40 BB/9 is the highest walk rate he has allowed since he posted a 3.38 BB/9 in his rookie season in 2008 with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The hope for the Blue Jays was that Scherzer could provide some depth to the back end of their rotation and perhaps give them one last season as vintage Mad Max. But that has proven to be very wishful thinking after an injury plagued season. It's also one of the likely reasons he wasn't traded at the deadline.

Scherzer is a free agent at the end of the season, if he doesn't retire, and with the Blue Jays in sell mode going into the deadline, many expected Scherzer to be one of the pieces that got moved. There were no takers though since Scherzer hadn't proved that he could stay healthy for more than a couple of starts all season.

But after his last two outings now, there may be some teams that are regretting not taking a flyer on him. Scherzer has gone 12 innings and has allowed only three runs, while striking out nine.

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